Ragan to wrestle at 2013 World Championships

Sep 18, 2013

BRISTOL, Tenn. – On Thursday, King University women's wrestler Alli Ragan will make Tornado history in Budapest, Hungary. Ragan earned a spot on the USA Senior World Team early this year, and will become the first King women's wrestler to compete at the World Wrestling Championships.

In August, Ragan earned her spot on the team by defeating Erin Clodgo at the World Team Wrestle-Offs. This marks the first time her career that Ragan will compete at this level, and at the World Championships. She is also the first King women's wrestler to compete at the highest level in the history of the program. In non-Olympic years, such as this year, the senior level is the highest level athletes can compete at.

"This is just another great accomplishment added to a long list that Alli has compiled over the last three years here at King," said King women's wrestling coach Jason Moorman. "However, for her, she's not looking at it as an accomplishment but an opportunity, and her goal is to win. I hope her successes lets others know what our goals and drive are in our program here at King. We can't wait to watch and cheer her on."

Ragan is currently ranked sixth in the world in the 59 kilogram weight class, at which she will compete at during the World Championships. This may be Ragan's first senior level competition, but Ragan is no stranger to international competitions as she took home a silver medal from the World University Games in Kazan, Russia earlier this year. She is also a two-time Junior World bronze medalist.

The women's freestyle competition begins on Thursday with the 55, 59 and 63 kilogram weight classes. The 59 kilogram weight class will start at 6:00 a.m. (ET) on Thursday. Live streaming of the event can be found on themat.com. For more information about the 2013 World Championships, follow this link.